By Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah
The atmosphere at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, was charged with optimism and institutional pride as the Imo State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah, led a high-powered delegation on a strategic advocacy visit to the Rector, Dr. (Mrs.) Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe.
The visit, part of the group’s ongoing stakeholders’ engagement across Imo State, turned into a moment of affirmation, reflection, and renewed commitment to educational transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
From the moment the delegation arrived, it was evident that the engagement was more than ceremonial. It was a meeting of shared conviction, a convergence of policy advocacy and institutional testimony.
Addressing the Polytechnic’s management, Opiah described Federal Polytechnic Nekede as a critical stakeholder in shaping the intellectual and socio-economic future of Imo youths. He emphasized that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors was established to bridge the information gap between government reforms and public perception, particularly within strategic institutions like tertiary schools.
According to him, many of the President’s accomplishments since assuming office in 2023 are either misunderstood or underreported, leading to poor public appreciation of far-reaching reforms undertaken by the administration.
Opiah identified the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the boldest and most consequential decisions taken by the President, stressing that although the policy was initially painful, it was necessary to rescue the nation’s economy and free up resources for development.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has significantly increased allocations to states, enabling them to invest more in infrastructure and social development. In Imo State, we can see the results in electricity projects, road infrastructure, and landmark developments like the reconstruction of the Concorde Hotel,” he said.
According to him, though some of the President’s reforms came with initial discomfort, they were designed to reposition the nation’s economy and strengthen key sectors such as education.
“Our mission is to ensure that Nigerians understand the vision behind these reforms. The education sector is receiving unprecedented attention, and institutions like Federal Polytechnic Nekede are direct beneficiaries,” Opiah noted.
He urged the Polytechnic management and community to join in the advocacy by helping to enlighten Nigerians on the good intentions and tangible achievements of the President.
But it was the Rector’s heartfelt response that defined the tone of the visit. With clarity and conviction, Dr. (Mrs.) Igbokwe declared that the present administration has ushered in what she described as the most rewarding era for education in Nigeria.
“We have not had NELFUND before. Today, students can go to school without having money. Count me in your advocacy.”
Her words carried the weight of lived administrative experience. As a Rector on the frontlines of institutional management, she spoke not from theory but from visible transformation.
She disclosed that Federal Polytechnic Nekede has received multiple TETFund interventions running into billions of naira under the current administration, including fresh approvals for agricultural projects, a development poised to expand practical training, research capacity, and food security initiatives within the institution.
“For those of us on the ground, we can see what is happening. The President is doing very well and deserves our full support,” the Rector affirmed.
Beyond federal interventions, Dr. Igbokwe also acknowledged the synergy between federal and state leadership, praising His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Governor Hope Uzodimma for aligning Imo State with the President’s development blueprint, particularly in infrastructure renewal that has positively impacted access and mobility.
The engagement was not merely political rhetoric; it was an institutional endorsement rooted in tangible projects, expanded access to funding, and student-centered initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is already easing financial burdens for many Polytechnic students.
In a firm pledge that drew applause, the Rector assured the delegation that Federal Polytechnic Nekede would continue to contribute meaningfully toward the realization of the Renewed Hope vision.
“We will do our best to ensure that the President’s vision is realised. We will contribute our quota.”
As the delegation departed, one thing was unmistakable: at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Renewed Hope is not just a slogan, it is being translated into infrastructure, access, opportunity, and institutional growth.
